— Grade 2

2nd Grade Curriculum Overview

Reading/Language Arts

Reading

Text: Reading Street by Pearson

The goals of reading are comprehension and fluency. Reading skills will be developed and practiced daily. In addition to our reading anthology and workbooks, the reading curriculum will be supplemented periodically with leveled books and chapter books. Students will also complete reading logs at home as part of the reading program. Reading aloud facilitates fluency, and 10-15 minutes a night will be assigned.

The goals for reading include:

using phonetic skills and context clues to decode words

improving comprehension of words, sentences, and stories by drawing conclusions, predicting outcomes, and sequencing story events

previewing reading material and using prior experience and knowledge to gain understanding of reading passages

building and expanding reading vocabulary

Step Up to Writing

Students will develop and refine their writing and speaking skills each day. An emphasis on paragraph and story writing will be taught throughout the year. Writing will also be integrated with other subjects, such as religion, reading, social studies, and science. Grammar will be taught and reviewed weekly. By the end of second grade the students will be able to:

write a complete sentence with correct punctuation and capitalization

write an eight sentence paragraph

write a letter using correct form

Phonics

Text: Phonics: Level B by Pearson

Phonics will be one of the tools used to teach and develop decoding skills for reading. Each day phonics practice will be integrated with our reading instruction.

Spelling

We utilize the Sitton Spelling program. It is a researched based program that utilizes High-Frequency Core Words and Priority Words to create the students’ spelling lists. Approximately 150 words will be introduced, practiced, tested, reviewed, and retested throughout the year. Each day there will be opportunities for word study, and spelling strategies will be regularly reviewed. Spelling homework is assigned several times a week. This approach helps students remember spelling words in long-term memory.

Handwriting

Text: Handwriting: Grade 2 by Zaner-Bloser

For the first half of the year, students will learn and practice the Zaner-Bloser manuscript letters. The students will be encouraged to master this manuscript alphabet. In January, the students will be introduced to lowercase and uppercase cursive letters. The students will practice cursive writing for the remainder of the year.

Math

Texts: Progress inMathematics by Sadlier-Oxford, Common Core Progress Mathematics by Sadlier School, and Excel program for maintenance

Math skills will be developed and practiced each day. Additionally, each week the students will complete math homework sheets, which relate to the lesson learned in class. By the end of second grade, students will be able to:

use basic addition and subtraction strategies, such as doubles facts, fact families, and number sentences

add and subtract two-digit numbers with regrouping

add and subtract three-digit numbers

understand basic concepts of time and money

understand place value to the hundreds as well as compare and order numbers to 1,000

grasp concepts of basic measurement, weight, volume, and temperature

recognize two and three-dimensional shapes as well as make congruent and symmetrical figures

identify basic fractions and understand probability

perform basic multiplication and division

Religion

Texts: Blest Are We and Family Life by RCL Benziger

Catholic religious concepts and traditions will be integrated throughout the curriculum. The school theme of “Living Our Faith” and the ABCs of “Attitude, Behavior, and Choices” will guide our Faith Journey this year.

A major focus in second grade is assisting parents in preparing their children to receive the sacraments of First Reconciliation and First Eucharist. A close collaboration between the pastor, principal, parish religious ministry coordinator, and the second grade teacher will be maintained. Supporting and celebrating the reception of the sacraments are important to the St. Justin Parish Community. Opportunities will be provided for families with children in the Catechetical Ministry and Catholic school instructional programs to interact and share sacramental preparation together. The two sacramental books to be completed at home are Making Things Right and Called to His Supper. Benziger’s Family Life will be integrated throughout the year, not only reaffirming that we are made in the Image of God but also defining the roles of family and Church in the spiritual, academic, and physical development of the students.

Science

Text: Science by Harcourt School Publishers

The students will develop and maintain essential processing skills throughout the year. The students will be asked to observe, compare, classify, gather and record data, measure, predict, infer, and draw conclusions. The second grade science content curriculum includes the study of how living things grow and change, exploring the Earth’s surface, and matter and motion.

Social Studies

Text: California Vistas by Macmillan/McGraw Hill

The social studies curriculum focuses on ordinary and extraordinary individuals who have made a difference in history. Map skills, basic concepts of government, and simple economics will also be studied. In addition, the students will have the opportunity to read about and discuss current events.

Mrs. Kathy Foley teaches second grade.

Kathy Foley is a life-long Santa Claran and is the product of local Catholic education. She is a graduate of St. Clare School, Notre Dame High School, and Santa Clara University. At Santa Clara, she received a B.S. in Psychology and an M.A. in Interdisciplinary Education. She holds both a California Multi-Subject Teaching Credential and a credential in Special Education. She has worked in the Diocese of San Jose for over twenty years and has taught second grade at St. Justin School for ten years. Kathy is married to Matt, and their three children are graduates of St. Justin School. Her daughter recently graduated from Cal Poly University, San Luis Obispo, and her twin sons are sophomores in college–one at Pacific University and the other at University of Portland.